They would end up a mess of limbs and instruments, an awkward pile up on stage shortly before 1:30AM, with a delirious and (most likely) inebriated gathering of fans rooting them on every step of the way. It was an enthralling moment...one that, in the wake of a rather unruly performance at Brooklyn Bowl, apparently got the best of The Go! Team. Leading lady Ninja would end up in the hospital, the victim of an inadvertent body slam from one of her band mates. It was violent, it was scary, it was definitely surreal...oh, and she would be OK!

But the event is also proof that The Go! Team remain one of the most interesting touring outfits out there; one that give their absolute all for the music they create. Hammering out a cacophonous glob of elements on guitars, drums, keys, banjos, melodicas, steel drums, and even a type writer, the band pair a thrilling, genre defying makeup with over the top, onstage acrobatics. Bodies fly about the stage, Ninja basically has herself a one hour aerobic workout, band members jump, change instruments, etc. And through it all, The Go! Team maintain an obvious and authentic crush on the crowd. It's a late night recipe for a good time, and it's why we knew we had to have our crew in the building when they came through our borough.

If this really is the band's final go-around (band leader Ian Parton has hinted at a divorce after their current tour), well then new songs like "T.O.R.N.A.D.O." and "Buy Nothing Day", along with classics like "Junior Kickstart" and "The Power Is On" will be missed. But we're feeling pretty damn blessed to have been invited to capture the performance. There, in front of our cameras, the band lit a fuse that burned all night long...though I'm guessing no one expected the culminating bomb to go off like it did. Still, it gives you an idea of the sacrifices The Go! Team are willing to make for their music...'cause it's all about the music.

Transcript

It's the T. O. R. N. A. D. O It's the T. O. R. N. A. D. O It's the prototype It's the double strike Cause I'm gung ho It's the T. O. R. N. A. D. O It's the T. O. R. N. A. D. O It's the prototype It's the double strike From the get go Heads in check, my word is legit I got three wishes on a two way split Game ready, rock steady forever Your fire we're down for whatever Major praise and don't delay When I sashay I take motorcades I mean it more than anyone I'm sweet on the beat And I keep it lo slung, uh I'm sweet on the beat And I keep it lo slung, uh Treats from streets And chaos galore And mayhem better Brace yourself for it We're the troopers on parade We're the cream in the green berets Making like we're professionals If the check's too Low, move the decimal I know my aspect ratio From the get go It's the T. O. R. N. A. D. O It's the T. O. R. N. A. D. O It's the prototype It's the double strike Cause I'm gung ho Jump, jump you can catch me on the fly Jump jump watch me amplify Cause blowing amps is the masterplan So shake the ceiling and wave your hands Steel on the reel for the mass appeal Got an elegant way and its all for real Hold tight like title holders We're the ringside holy rollers Getting down to the nitty gritty Took the G I sound til the music hit me Step it back the battles won. I'm sweet on the beat and I keep it lo slung, uh I'm sweet on the beat and I keep it lo slung, uh That is what I'm talkin' about That is what I'm talkin' about That is what I'm talkin' about That is what I'm talkin' about Looking Looking so hot, the way you work it, Love this song, come on, so I can see you work it baby, Don't hold it back, we love the way you work it, You hear that beat, yeah that's the way we play it. Break it down and move that little body baby, Break it down now, come on try to work that booty, Break it down and move that little body baby, Break it down now, come on try to We got the hardest beats and we bring it to you, And every time we jam, and hear the beat coming through, You know that noise we making be the heaviest sound, And with that noise we're making yeah we'll rock the whole town. Keep banging on the door, cause we can't hear a thing, Keep shutting down the power, 'cause we can always sing, Keep banging on the door, cause we can't hear a thing, Keep shutting down the power, cause we can always We got the hardest beats and we bring it to you, And every time we jam, and hear the beat coming through, You got it here, there, we got it everywhere, I got it, you got it, we got it everywhere. Keep banging on the door, cause we can't hear a thing, Keep shutting down the power, 'cause we can always sing, Keep banging on the door, 'cause we can't hear a thing, Keep shutting down the power, 'cause we can always sing. Break it down and move that little body baby, Break it down now, come on try to work that booty, Break it down and move that little body baby, Break it down now, come on try to work that boot-ay. Love to make noise, Go Team! Got the whole neighborhood, rockin' Love to make noise, Go Team! Got the whole neighborhood, rockin' Keep banging on the door, 'cause we can't hear a thing, Keep shutting down the power, 'cause we can always sing, Keep banging on the door, 'cause we can't hear a thing, Keep shutting down the power, 'cause we can always sing. Break it down and move that little body baby, Break it down now, come on try to work that booty, Break it down and move that little body baby, Break it down now, come on try to work that booty. Love to make noise, Go Team! Got the whole neighborhood, rockin' Love to make noise, Go Team! Got the whole neighborhood, rockin' Love to make noise, Go Team! Got the whole neighborhood, rockin' Love to make noise, Go Team! Got the whole neighborhood, rockin' - Woo! One two, one two It's the OG sound TNT, the killer bee Use the voice, you made the choice I got no trophy to introduce But I'm willing and able to shake it loose It's gotta be rear locking, show stopping Sassy, free, sophisticated, super rocking Name taking, earth quaking, record breaking No mistaking, it's mind shaking, in the making It's a walk and a way of thinking Shake your hips from left to right It's a bell and I need to ring it To spark the dynamite We're ridin' high your rocket can fly Never try Low fidelity, rear locking, show stopping Sassy, fresh, sophisticated, super rocking Name taking, earth quaking, record breaking Pass it back so we can take the whack It's a walk and a way of thinking Shake your hips from left to right It's a bell and I need to ring it To spark the dynamite TNT, the killer bee Use the voice, you made the choice I'm shaking up the underground 'Cause I'm willing and able to break it down It's gotta be rear locking, show stopping Sassy, free, sophisticated super rocking Name taking, earth quaking, record breaking No mistaking, it's mind shaking, in the making It's a walk and a way of thinking Shake your hips from left to right It's a bell and I need to ring it To spark the dynamite TNT, the killer bee Use the voice, you made the choice I'm shaking up the underground 'Cause I'm willing and able to break it down - The next song is from the third album, Song about an office lady. Are you ready? Go, go, a go, go, a go, go Go, go, go Start the day for something Start the day at seven ten Waking for a living And the pattern starts again It's Avenue B, change at Tennessee Before the city begins to swell At seven two four on the second floor Is where the telephone has my bell Echo, echo, echo down the wire I can see, I can see, nothing else to be I can see, I can see, nothing else to be Only seven letters Only seven hours to go I begin to wonder now If there's still a place below I file it away, handing in the tray So I can only be who I am Eleven fifteen, tapping the machine Until the calendar starts to jam Echo, echo, echo down the wire I can see, I can see, nothing else to be I can see, I can see, nothing else to be Oh, talking about, oh, walking about We'll go back to the sea And find what I'm about Oh, but I'll never be someone again Oh, 'cause it happens all over again tomorrow Hit it, get it, make it, shake it Hit it, get it, make it, shake it Go, go, go, go, go, go, go Go, go, go, go, go, go Go, go, go - Thank you! Brooklyn, bring it! And you have to sing along. Are you ready? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah We started out good friends Said, you're the kind of man that Takes every girl for a fool You, you, you A fantastic into romantic We came here to rock the microphone We came here to rock the microphone Our aim is to break you down to the bone Our aim is to break you down to the bone Let's talk about Let's talk about Let's talk about Let's talk about We started out good friends Said, you're the kind of man that Takes every girl for a fool We came here to rock the microphone We came here to rock the microphone Our aim is to break you down to the bone Our aim is to break you down to the bone We came here to rock the microphone We came here to rock the microphone Our aim is to break you down to the bone Our aim is to break you down to the bone Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah We got the rally on the run Now people show us something we can do Got the message, got the gun We're not the kinda girls he gives into So we say it's alright Say it all the time Say it's alright Say it all the time We got the people in the know We got the guarantee to get jumping Got the feeling, got the flow So now we really talk about something And we say it's alright Say it all the time Say it's alright Tripping on the line Going for the distance Going for the speed Going for the motion But we never know what's real Across the divide 'Til they decide They're gonna set you free We put the meaning in the world We put the fire in the connection Got them bringing on the turn And never take a different direction Now we say it's alright Say it all the time Say it's alright Say it all the time We got a million on the line We got the kinda thing you can't let go Made it better by design And set the strategy from the get go Now we say it's alright Say it all the time Say it's alright Tripping on the line Going for the distance Going for the speed Going for the motion But we never know what's real Across the divide 'Til they decide If they're gonna set you free Say it's alright Say it all the time Say it's alright Say it all the time Going for the distance Going for the speed Going for the motion But we never know what's real Across the divide 'Til they decide If they're gonna set you free All right, all right, all right, all right From the front to the back - Flashlight Fight! Nothing came today Nothing will tomorrow No-one took the system cos the world was out of bounds Action is a strategy there's just no getting round But I would never lose my head tonight And I would never lose my head tonight Cause when its All coming back Kickstart the motor Circle the track Over and over We don't plan it all Cos making it up is so natural We don't know for sure But this is the law We'll never come back here tonight Running out of luck Running out of money Running for the subway isn't gonna make it, girl Won't start revolutions but we're giving it a whirl And I would never lose my head tonight And I would never lose my head tonight Cause when it's All coming back Kickstart the motor Circle the track Over and over We don't plan it all Cause making it up is so natural We don't know for sure But this is the law We'll never come back here tonight - Five, six, seven, eight! Cause when it's All coming back Kickstart the motor Circle the track Over and over All coming back Kickstart the motor Circle the track We'll never come back here tonight And I would never lose my head tonight And I would never lose my head tonight And its us guys writing down a funky rhyme, And this is how we introduce it one at a time. We got a feel good vibe that makes the place jam. With a freaky kinda music you can't understand. Its neither here nor there but shake your derriere. It's got to stop 'till you moan it to your last affair. It's funky, you came to us in everyplace. We want the people jumping wherever we play. You know we're sure to please you no matter what you do. No matter where you from, you'd better hear the truth. Now you know our names and you've been to the show And the talent we got will shake you down to the bone And we're in control of the whole damn place So come on everybody, let's rock this place. Now you know our names and you've been to the show And the talent we got will shake you down to the bone And we're in control of the whole damn place So come on everybody, let's rock this place. Well... When we do our thing, it's an original groove. Shake it back, shake it forth, we wanna see you move. And if you didn't know about us then get into the flow. Brand new in the scene, it's the Team called Go! It's fresh, so heavy, hear it breaking down. Hear the beat still rocking everyone around. You know we're sure to please you no matter what you do No matter where you from, you'd better hear the truth Now you know our names and you've been to the show And the talent we got will shake you down to the bone And we in control of the whole damn place So come on everybody, let's rock this place Now you know our names and you've been to the show And the talent we got will shake you down to the bone And we in control of the whole damn place So come on, Brooklyn, let's rock this place. Hit it! 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 And it's us guys writing down a funk rhyme And this is how we introduce them one at a time 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 And it's us guys writing down a funk rhyme And this is how we introduce them one at a time 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 And it's us guys writing down a funk rhyme And this is how we introduce them one at a time 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 And it's us guys writing down a funk rhyme And this is how we introduce them one at a time So come on everybody let's rock this place! Now we're coming at you Now who's got the power Now we're coming at you If you might allow her Now we're coming at you Now we're coming through Watch who's gonna get you back on the bus Then you take a shower Now we're coming at you Now who's got the power? Now we're coming at you Now we're coming through Watch who's gonna get you back on the bus Then you take a shower Now we're coming at you Now who's got the power? Now who's got the power? Now we're coming at you Now we're coming through Watch who's gonna get you back on the bus Then you take a shower Now we're coming at you Now who's got the power? Now who's got the power? Now we're coming at you Now we're coming through Watch who's gonna get you back on the bus Then you take a shower Now we're coming at you Now who's got the power? Now who's got the power? - We wanna thank you all. We wanna thank you all for being an amazing crowd, and we're gonna play you one more song now before we go. It's from the brand new album, we hope you like it. We've got Also, this is Back Like 8 Track. Brooklyn, one, two, three, four! Yes, running heavy Back like 8 track Oh, so smooth, we got it when we groove Those girls ain't got no moves, now we're coming for Y-O-U spells You, oh, those girls are bad, stepping with so much class By this time which we're sure you look ridiculous Yes, back like 8 track You know you large One, two, three We always step to the stress with much finesse Flip first to the sweatin', you're my second guess We double down the sound that you never got Counter check the deck but I never stop Faking and I say it plain Counterclaims coming at us like a bullet train Don't get no pay for the records I play Drop the rock at the hop and have a nice day Oh, so smooth, we got it when we groove Those girls ain't got no moves, now we're coming for Y-O-U spells You, oh, those girls are bad, stepping with so much class By this time which we're sure you look ridiculous Oh, so smooth, we got it when we groove Those girls ain't got no moves, now we're coming for Y-O-U spells You, oh, those girls are bad, stepping with so much class By this time which we're sure you look ridiculous - Brooklyn! If you've had a good time, let me hear you make some noise! Say yeah yeah. Say oh yeah. Say yeah yeah. Say oh yeah. Brooklyn, introducing the Go! Team, on the we've got Sam. On the other drums we've got Chi. On the bass, we've got Jamie. Here's Ian! My name is Ninja. Brooklyn, can I see your hands up! Hands up in the air! Everybody, hands up, hands up! It's It's not up to me, it's not A13 It's not the Circle K at the top of street I know, it may seem debonair But there's time on the line that we just can't spare Hold up everybody, put it all on ice Gotta feeling on the mic that's twice as nice Gotta cope with the dope by cutting soap So turned on livin' out my horoscope No one can do it like we can We take the stand with a master plan We are the educated, motivated Skin tight, rawhide, hardworkin' Blood sweatin', hollerin', your world wreckin' Ladies of eighty three Ladies you want to be We're not the first but that matters least 'Cause there's free rough justice for the masterpiece I said, a panther is what a cougar ain't What a royal wants to be, what a hustler can't What the ladies like, what the fellas love What U. L. C.can't get enough of I said now walk like a panther I said walk like a panther What the ladies like, what the fellas love What U. L. C.can't get enough of We got no second chance, we got a soldier's stance We got the thrills in our skills that you can't advance Never gonna get ninety nine percent My get up and go just got up and went So unrelenting, pay strict attention My mind is heading in the right direction More hits than bazooka smooth Our guarantee is we can move Our Q and A We are the educated, motivated Skin tight, rawhide, hardworkin' Blood sweatin, hollerin, your world wreckin' Ladies of eighty three Ladies you want to be We're not the first but that matters least 'Cause there's free rough justice for the masterpiece I said, a panther is what a cougar ain't What a royal wants to be, what a hustler can't What the ladies like, what the fellas love What U. L. C.can't get enough of I said now walk like a panther walk like a panther What the ladies like, what the fellas love What U. L. C.can't get enough of Oh oh, double O-P Oh oh, double O-P We say, you say, you say we fly You're the ones we notify I said, a panther is what a cougar ain't What a royal wants to be, what a hustler can't What the ladies like, what the fellas love What U. L. C.can't get enough of I said now walk like a panther I said walk like a panther What the ladies like, what the fellas love What U. L. C. can't get enough of One, nine, one, three You know you wanna be like me One, nine, one, three We gotta life to set free One, nine, one, three We gonna shake the AKG One, nine, one, three You wanna bring it back like me Yeah We are the hardcore jumpers And we never fail We jump on through the snow, sleet, rain and hail And we can jump when we're tired And we can jump on the roof We jump on when we think of other things to do We jump on, hey, no matter what mood we're in Cos you know you get out, what you put in We are the hardcore jumpers, and we never fail We jump on We jump on We jump on Let's go Get up, attack, We are the mighty best, and we do as we please Get up, attack, gotta shake it through I said work, work, work, work it out! We're up now, all around, and we never fail We're doin it yeah, we're doing it yeah We're up now, all around, and we never fail We jump on We jump on We jump on We jump on We knew you were here, we will come back And all you don't care about that I said we knew you were here, you do come back I gotta say, we're up down, all around And we're doin' our thing We'll do it again! We'll do it again! We are the hardcore jumpers And we never fail We jump on through the snow, sleet, rain and hail And we can jump when we're tired And we can jump on the roof We jump on when we think of other things to do We jump on, hey, no matter what mood we're in Cos you know you get out, what you put in We are the hardcore jumpers, and we never fail We jump on We jump on We jump on

Artist Bio

It all started when, according to band leader Ian Parton and former indie kid, "I got an old Eighties sampler and a four-track (tape recorder) and (along with brother and engineer Gareth) just started welding ideas from songs with samples I'd heard in random places and live instruments". The Go! Team live team was put together by Ian in three weeks when Memphis sprung a Swedish tour supporting Franz Ferdinand in June 2004: says Ian: "There are three lads and three ladies. The blokes (Ian guitar, harmonica & drums / Sam Dook - guitar, drums, banjo, Jamie Bell bass) are from Brighton. Chi (Fukami Taylor), who's Japanese, lives in London. I put a shout out for anybody who knew drummers. And then there's Silke (German born Steidinger) who plays everything recorder, melodica, guitar, keyboards, drums. Ninja was the tricky one, I wanted someone who was big into hip-hop, but not all bling. I sent her a CD and she really dug it. She was one of the few lady rappers that got it. She's into the idea of experimenting. She feels no pressure to sound like everybody else..." The aim was to put a band together of people who would not normally be in a band together and could explode live. And it's live that this gleefully uplifting music begins to take full effect; the music crashes triumphantly along, blaring, distorted samples, noisy guitars, Ninja's jovial rapping, dancing, double drumming, yelling and hugging each other. Imagine the most exhilarating block party you've ever been to and then multiply the fun quotient by 100. The audience does everything they can to express their approval save forming human pyramids. They are right: it's hard to think of anything in 2005 that's more exuberant, more joyous, more fun than The Go! Team. Look for their third album, Rolling Blackouts, out on February 1, 2011 on Memphis Industries.